Enfield Agencies Approved For Coronavirus Relief Fund Grants

ENFIELD, CT — A pair of Enfield agencies are among 11 statewide which have been approved for grants from Connecticut's Coronavirus Relief Fund, announced Thursday by Gov. Ned Lamont.

The town was approved to receive $250,000 for the Homeless Shelter Diversion Program, which will staff three positions: a diversion specialist, social worker and caseworker. According to a news release announcing the grants, "Enfield has begun implementing diversion as a critical intervention strategy in the prevention of homelessness. This shelter diversion program will reduce the number of households becoming homeless, the demand for shelter beds, and the cost to shelter agencies by increasing the region’s capacity."

Another grant of $218,748 will be used to provide food, household supplies, equipment and materials to the Enfield Food Shelf on Alden Ave., "in order to carry out a necessary public service in response to the consequences of COVID-19. The demand from low-income individuals will soon overwhelm the food and household supplies on hand and budgeted. It will also be necessary to divert some of the funding for mandated COVID-related health and safety supplies (such as PPE), materials (such as plexiglass), and labor."

The Coronavirus Relief Fund uses federal CARES Act money to finance programs in several towns across Connecticut which will be used for homeless shelter improvements, homeless prevention services and financial assistance for low-income residents at risk of becoming homeless, according to the release.

"These grants will be used to ensure the supports are in place for those who are on the verge of becoming homeless and we can rapidly respond to the situations they are facing," Lamont said. "Having a safe and secure place to call home is a critical component of responding to this public health crisis."

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